By Training camp is where optimism meets reality.
Every NFL team enters camp believing it has improved during the offseason, but the next several weeks will determine whether those expectations are justified.
For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the core of the roster is established.
Baker Mayfield returns to lead the offense after another outstanding season. Chris Godwin is expected once again to be one of the league’s most reliable receivers.
Bucky Irving has emerged as the feature back, and the defense is built around stars such as Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey, Antoine Winfield Jr., and Yaya Diaby.
What remains unsettled are the battles that will shape the depth chart and ultimately determine how far Tampa Bay can go in 2026.
General Manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles emphasized competition throughout the offseason, adding veterans and young talent to create one of the deepest rosters the Buccaneers have taken into training camp in recent years.
Several starting jobs remain open, while other competitions will determine who makes the regular rotation when the season begins.
Here are the five position battles that could have the biggest impact on Tampa Bay’s season.
1. Inside Linebacker
No position carries more intrigue than inside linebacker following the retirement of franchise legend Lavonte David.
Replacing one of the greatest players in Buccaneers history won’t fall on one player, but someone must step into the leadership role that David held for more than a decade.
Veteran free-agent addition Alex Anzalone appears poised to claim one starting spot, while second-round pick Josiah Trotter enters camp with an opportunity to win the other. Trotter’s instincts, physicality, and football IQ have already impressed coaches during offseason workouts.
Fourth-year linebacker SirVocea Dennis and veteran Christian Rozeboom will also push for playing time, creating one of the most competitive battles on the roster.
Whoever wins the job won’t simply replace tackles—they’ll become the communicator and signal-caller for Todd Bowles’ aggressive defense.
2. Edge Rusher
The Buccaneers believe they have the pieces to field one of the NFL’s most disruptive pass rushes.
Yaya Diaby returns as the established leader after another productive season, while first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr. enters camp expected to contribute immediately.
The biggest question is how quickly Bain earns a starting role.
Veteran Anthony Nelson continues to provide consistency, while Chris Braswell faces an important second season after showing flashes as a rookie.
If Braswell develops into a reliable contributor and Bain lives up to expectations, Tampa Bay’s pass rush could become one of the deepest in the NFC.
Creating pressure with four rushers has always been the foundation of Bowles’ defense, making this one of camp’s most significant storylines.
3. Cornerback and the Secondary
Every year, Todd Bowles asks his defensive backs to do more than cover receivers.
His system demands versatility, communication, and the ability to play multiple positions.
Zyon McCollum enters camp as the team’s top outside corner, while Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish will battle for expanded roles after showing encouraging potential.
Rookie Keionte Scott also enters the mix with the flexibility to play outside corner, nickel, and safety.
Rather than deciding just one starter, this competition will determine how Bowles constructs his defensive packages throughout the season.
4. Running Back and Wide Receiver Depth
Bucky Irving has established himself as Tampa Bay’s featured running back, but the competition behind him remains wide open.
Veteran Kenneth Gainwell and Sean Tucker each bring different skill sets, giving Bowles and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson several options depending on the opponent.
At wide receiver, Chris Godwin headlines a talented group that also includes first-round pick Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan.
Behind them, training camp will determine which young receivers Ted Hurst, Tez Johnson, Kameron Johnson, Garrett Greene, Dennis Houston, and others earn the final roster spots and become contributors on special teams.
Depth often separates playoff teams from championship teams, making these battles more important than they may initially appear.
5. Defensive Line Rotation
The Buccaneers’ defensive front has the potential to be one of the NFL’s strengths.
Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey, and veteran A’Shawn Robinson, along with the returning Rakeen Nunez-Roches, headline the group, but the race for rotational snaps could prove just as important.
Elijah Roberts hopes to build on a promising rookie season, while rookie DeMonte Capehart looks to earn immediate playing time. Jayson Jones and Elijah Simmons will also compete for valuable roster spots.
Keeping Vea and Kancey fresh late in games—and late in the season—could be just as valuable as naming the starters.
Training camp is about more than deciding who starts in Week 1. It’s about identifying the players who can be counted on when injuries strike, when playoff races tighten, and when championships are on the line.
The Buccaneers enter 2026 expecting to compete for another NFC South title, but expectations inside the building are much higher than that.
If Tampa Bay can find the right answers at linebacker, develop another impact pass rusher, solidify its secondary, and build quality depth across the roster, the Buccaneers will have every opportunity to establish themselves as one of the NFC’s premier contenders.
Those answers won’t be found on paper. They’ll be earned over the next several weeks on the practice fields of training camp.
